After further investigation, Gannet’s boarding team discovered 11 Haitian migrants, two Guyanese migrants, and one Jamaican migrant being allegedly smuggled into the United States. Gannet subsequently embarked the 14 migrants and suspected smuggler. Gannet later transferred the 11 Haitian migrants to the Coast Guard Cutter Venturous for repatriation.

The one suspected smuggler, one Jamaican and two Guyanese migrants were transferred to Customs and Border Protection officials for further processing.

One Haitian migrant was transferred to the Royal Bahamian Defense Force for further processing.

“Migrants attempting to illegally enter the United States by boat often travel aboard dangerously overloaded and ill-equipped vessels,” said Cmdr. Timothy Cronin, 7th Coast Guard District assistant chief of enforcement.”People aboard these vessels are putting their lives at extreme risk, so the Coast Guard with our partner agencies will continue to patrol vigilantly to rescue and repatriate undocumented migrants who take to the sea.”

Medium endurance cutters like the Venturous are built for multi-week offshore patrols including operations requiring enhanced communications, and helicopter and pursuit boat operations, which provide a key capability for homeland security operations at sea.